Life's lessons

Inspiring stories of Jack Welch, the once CEO of General Electronics, and Mary Higgins Clark, the multi-million dollar authoress The first book chosen this week may well be considered part of a starter's kit for anyone embarking on a course to be a published author. We have 'How to Write a Romance and Get it published' by Katheryn Falk. This 500-page book is a must read for anyone who has ever harboured dreams of writing a novel. In fact, it's important not to get misled by the word 'Romance' in the title, since the book is more a step by step manual on how to write a book. The book has been neatly divided into sections such that the book is actually a collaborative effort by a whole series of writers. In the sense from developing the plot to finding a literary agent, the book is filled with useful tips. I personally loved the book since it demystifies the whole process of writing. Next on the list is Jack Welch's 'Straight from the Gut'. This book is unique more since GE, the company is what it is primarily due to the sterling leadership that Welch gave it in the 20 long years that he was the CEO. The Guardian Newspaper once famously referred to Welch as "the greatest corporate hugger and kicker of modern times" and reading this book one can understand why. The one common thread that runs all through the book is the sheer energy and zeal with which Welch pours himself into all his tasks. It's truly awe inspiring! Welch says that he learnt his work ethic by seeing his father come home late, long after Welch, the only child of his parents was fast asleep. The book opens with a hockey match during which Welch's team lost. The young Welch was quite naturally upset, to which his mom consoled him by saying, "If you don't know how to lose, you will never know how to win�" This lesson that Welch had leant as a school boy held him in good stead through all the rough patches that GE went through. A Lesson indeed, to learn from. Finally, we have Mary Higgins Clark's 'Kitchen Privileges'. This autobiography by the 'Queen of Suspense' is by far one of the most amazing life stories I've read. Higgins the multi-million dollar authoress began her career as a young widow with five children to support. Most inspiring is the author's attitude where when asked considering she's made her millions if she would give up writing for a life of leisure she says, "Never! To be happy for a year, win the lottery; to be happy for life, love what you do".

This coming from an international authoress who was once an air hostess with Pan American Airline and who on a flight from India had a gentleman predict that she would one day be a world renowned figure. A certain "turban wearing" Indian, which an Asian reader would recognise to be a Punjabi Sikh, apparently could read fortunes and told Higgins that she would soon give up her career as an air hostess and turn an authoress. Higgins had only scoffed at the suggestion then, only to have it come true a few years down the line. So if I'm to sum up the one thing common about the three books reviewed today, it is the uncommon quality of tenacity. If one can develop just this one quality of perseverance, it's only a matter of time before one builds a business and a brand and can go laughing to the bank. I rest my case!